CAVALHADAS DE SÃO PEDRO (MARCHAS DE SÃO PEDRO)

These festivities only take place at Ribeira Seca, near Ribeira Grande on the island of São Miguel. The origins of these festivities are unknown: perhaps they were also held to distract people from volcanic phenomena. A king(maioral), four lancers(lanceiros), three horn players(corneteiros) and other horsemen (between 90 and 130 people) make up the assembly. The king is dressed in short red pants, white socks and shirt, and a blue satin cape, and his face, adorned with a large beard, is topped with a floral, feathered hat. The riders are dressed in white, waving a red flag.

First, the procession gathers around a house, mafoma, and then proceeds to the church of São Pedro. Next, the king makes a speech on the church steps (this harangue is fixed in advance, thus requiring certain intellectual abilities to repeat it without fail, and it changes every year), paying homage to the Apostle by singing popular verses or adjuring him to favor crops and fishing. After circling the church seven times, the troupe continues on its way to Ribeira Grande.

Savvy travelers will not fail to compare this festival with the one held in Rio Grande, in the extreme south of Brazil, where it symbolizes the struggle between Christians and Moors.

The 2023 edition brought together over 1,500 participants, walkers and musicians, in the streets of Ribeira Seca.